Chocolate cherry cookies are a delightful treat combining the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolate with the fruity sweetness of cherries. These cookies are soft, chewy, and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday celebration or a simple dessert craving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Decadent Flavor: The combination of chocolate and cherries creates a perfect balance of sweetness and richness.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is beginner-friendly.
- Perfect Texture: Soft and chewy with bursts of cherry in every bite.
- Versatile: Great for dessert tables, gifting, or a cozy snack.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Dried cherries
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and dried cherries.
- Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly undercooked.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes approximately 24 cookies.
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
Variations
- Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Chocolate Lovers: Use dark chocolate chunks or white chocolate chips for variety.
- Fresh Cherries: Swap dried cherries for chopped fresh cherries for a juicier bite.
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for gluten-sensitive eaters.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft texture.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried cherries?
Yes, but fresh cherries may add extra moisture, so you might need to adjust the baking time slightly.
2. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
3. What type of cocoa powder should I use?
Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results. Dutch-processed cocoa powder works well too.
4. Can I substitute butter with margarine?
While you can use margarine, butter provides a richer flavor and better texture.
5. Are these cookies soft or crispy?
These cookies are soft and chewy.
6. How can I make these cookies less sweet?
Reduce the amount of sugar slightly or use bittersweet chocolate chips.
7. Can I add other dried fruits?
Yes! Dried cranberries, raisins, or apricots work well as substitutes or additions.
8. How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking to minimize spreading.
9. What if I don’t have parchment paper?
Lightly grease your baking sheet or use a silicone baking mat instead.
10. Can I make these vegan?
Yes! Use a plant-based butter substitute, flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water per egg), and dairy-free chocolate chips.
Conclusion
Chocolate cherry cookies are an irresistible combination of rich chocolate and tangy cherries. With simple ingredients and endless variations, they’re a versatile and crowd-pleasing treat. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are sure to impress. Grab your ingredients and start baking today!
Print
Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Cherry Cookies are a decadent treat, combining rich, fudgy chocolate with bursts of tart dried cherries. Perfect for holiday cookie platters, gifting, or indulging alongside a cup of coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (50g) cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (180g) dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup (120g) dried cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla:
- Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Mix in the Add-Ins:
- Fold in the chocolate chips and dried cherries until evenly distributed.
- Scoop and Shape:
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers appear slightly soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Cool:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra gooey cookies, press a few additional chocolate chips or cherries onto the tops of the cookies before baking.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Substitute dried cherries with cranberries for a slightly different flavor profile.